For Sunday 1dt February 2026, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

When we enter St Columba’s through the main Pont Street entrance we pass between the two corner stones of the arch – on the right, a stone from the pre-Reformation Cathedral of St. Andrews – and on the left a block of marble from Iona. It is designed so that, on entering the church, we pass between representations of the centres of early Christianity in the east and west of Scotland. Above the centre door is the statue of St. Columba standing in his coracle. It is the work of Vernon Hill. He has represented the Saint with his hand raised in blessing upon those who enter and leave the building, and, though they may be unaware of it, those who daily pass by in Pont Street.

This Sunday will see the return of the play “Getting to Iona,” premiered at St Columba’s in June last year, written and performed by Tomás Barry. Tomás’ grandfather, Canon John Barry was a Church of Ireland priest. In 1963 Canon Barry and twelve accomplices sailed to Iona from Northern Ireland in a replica curragh, which they had constructed, to commemorate the original voyage of St Columba to Iona in 563AD. From that expedition Canon Barry wrote and published his personal account, “Joyful Pilgrimage”. Inspired by his grandfather’s book, Tomás wrote a one-act play, directed by Graham Butler-Breen, describing it as “a play about leaving home for the unknown. What we seek, what we find, and what we leave behind.” Following last summer’s launch at St Columba’s Tomás took the play to the Edinburgh Festival, explaining that the play has evolved considerably since its premiere. We are delighted to welcome Tomás back to offer his production twice at 1.30pm & 5.00pm, in the London Scottish Chapel. Both performances are free to congregational members.

The prayer attributed to St Columba is probably familiar to you. Commendable on any day, it is particularly appropriate this weekend, as Tomás’ play invites us to journey together.

Be a bright flame before me, O God,
a guiding star above me.
Be a smooth path below me,
a kindly shepherd behind me
today, tonight, and for ever.
Alone with none but you,
my God I journey on my way;
what need I fear when you are near,
O Lord of night and day?
More secure am I within your hand
than if a multitude did round me stand. Amen.

Angus

THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 1st February 2026, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Hymn 608 Spirit of truth and grace (Down Ampney)
Hymn 633 Child of blessing, child of promise (Shipston)
Hymn 710 “I have a dream” a man once said (Repton)
Hymn 465 Be thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart (Slane)

Anthem: Stanford in B Flat Nunc Dimittis
Anthem: Maria das Jungfräuelein Eccard

Old Testament Reading: Micah 6:1-8
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
Reader: Rona Black

THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 1^st February 2026, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
11.00 a.m. Morning Service, Baptisms & Sunday School
12.15 p.m. Short celebration of Holy Communion, London Scottish Chapel
12:15 p.m. Tea and Coffee in the Upper Hall {by donation}
12:15 p.m. Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall {£4}
1.30 p.m. Performance of “Getting to Iona” (London Scottish Chapel)
5.00 p.m. Performance of “Getting to Iona” (London Scottish Chapel)7.00 p.m. GlassDoor Night Shelter

Craft group Please note there will be no craft group on 1^st February due to the performance of Getting to Iona

NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 8^th February 2026, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany.
10:15 a.m. Congregational Prayer Group, London Scottish Chapel
11.00 a.m. Morning Service & Sunday School
12.15 p.m. Short celebration of Holy Communion, London Scottish Chapel
12:15 p.m. Tea and Coffee in the Upper Hall {by donation}7.00 p.m. GlassDoor Night Shelter

UPCOMING: Midweek Prayer 1.00pm, Wednesday 4^th February, London Scottish Chapel A short time of prayer and quiet amid a busy week.

UPCOMING: St Columba’s Church Quiz will take place on Saturday 21^st February at 6.30pm in the Lower Hall. Tickets are £10 and will be on sale after each Sunday service. Sharpen your pencil and sharpen your mind – always a very fun and sociable evening!

UPCOMING: Ash Wednesday Holy Communion, Wednesday 18^th February, 1.00pm, London Scottish Chapel marking the start of the forty days of Lent that leads us to Holy Week and Easter.

UPCOMING: Joint Service with Crown Court Church of Scotland, Sunday 22^nd February, 11.15am, Russell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5EZ
As we hosted our Church of Scotland neighbours at the St Andrew’s Book Festival service before Christmas, we are invited to share worship with our friends at Crown Court. Please note there will be no service at St Columba’s that day, but we aim to provide screening of the Crown Court service for any unable to get to Crown Court.

Live Streaming of Worship
Services can be watched via the church website, https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream. Reminder: If you do not wish to appear on the live stream please choose a seat in the rear half of the sanctuary. Note that the Evening Services on the 1st of the month are not live streamed as they are held in the London Scottish Chapel. If you experience any issue with livestream on the day, please email livestream@stcolumbas.org.uk (please note that this address will only be monitored on Sundays).

Dial into Sunday Service
If you are aware of church members or friends who do not have access to internet, please inform them that they can phone in to join the Sunday service. Those interested should follow:

Step 1: At 10.40am call phone number 0208 080 6591.
Step 2: You will be prompted to enter a meeting ID. Please type (using your telephone keypad) 884 4746 5645
Step 3: You will then be asked for a participant number – simply press the #.
Step 4: You will be asked to enter the password. Enter 838727
Step 5: Enjoy the service! You will hear the organ music from 10.50am.

Details on the many ways you can support St Columba’s can be found here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/giving/supporting-st-columbas Anyone wishing to contribute to St Andrew’s, Newcastle please contact the Session Clerk on standrewssessionclerk@gmail.com for bank details or other means of donating.

Office Hours –
The church office is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
E-mail: office@stcolumbas.org.uk
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbaschurchpontstreet.
Twitter: @LondonKirkPastoral
Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271

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